College of Health and Human Services

Heath Science Department

I  General Information

A. Course Number   Health Science 425I
B. Title:    Human Sexuality and Sex Education
C. Units:    3
D Prerequisites:   Completion of the 13 unit GE foundation
Requirements, one or more Exploration courses,  WPE passage, SOC 100 or PSY 100 and upper division status
E. Course Classification:  3 units at C/S 02
F. Faculty:    Sarath Gunatilake MD, Dr. P.H
G. Telephone: (562)985-5723
H. E-mail  <sarathg@csulb.edu>

II   Catalog Description and teaching philosophy :

425I. Human Sexuality and Sex Education (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of the G.E. Foundation, one or more Explorations courses, and upper division standing. Recommended: PSY 100.  Biomedical, sociological, and psychological aspects of human sexuality, the communication of sexual information, the implementation, content, and evaluation of family life and sex education in the schools.

HSC 425I (Human Sexuality and Sex Education) has been revised to meet the new requirements of the CSULB General Education format. The course is designed to enable students to engage in critical thinking and problem solving and other means of inquiry in relation to their sexual selves. The course encourages students to make responsible sexual decisions and to be aware of the bio-medical, cultural, sociological, psychological and public health education aspects of their sexuality. Responsible sexual decision making is based not only on accurate information but also in carefully evaluating the information in light of one's own values.

Throughout the course, students are provided with process oriented activities that stimulate thinking and foster analysis and evaluation of their beliefs and attitudes. The course assignments and requirements are designed to promote written and oral communication skills, information competency, and computer and internet literacy Students engage in small group discussions and activities, oral presentations, written assignments and examinations. In-class and out of class assignments are provided for students to apply their knowledge to practice and vice versa. Writing assignments are required throughout the course, and feedback is provided for each assignment.

This course is also proposed for the Human Diversity category as it integrates human diversity into the curriculum to broaden students' thinking about gender, ethnic and racial differences.

III   Expected Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

A. Discuss human sexuality from biological, psychological, sociological, cultural, economic, and scientific perspectives.
B. Analyze bio-medical, psycho social, and socio-behavioral factors affecting sexual roles, identities and behaviors.
C. Analyze bio-medical, psycho social, and socio-behavioral factors affecting sexual roles, identities and behaviors.
D. Discuss the bio-medical, social and behavioral characteristics of reproductive system disorders.
E. Assess bio-medical and psycho social aspects of the human sexual response.
F. Appraise the physical, mental emotional and social changes that occur during pregnancy and childbirth.
G. Evaluate methods of fertility control including related  bio-medical, public health, social cultural, demographic, environmental  and economic issues.
H. Examine consequences of sexually transmitted diseases/infections upon the health of the individual, family and society.
I. Discuss the physical, mental emotional and social changes in sexuality throughout the life cycle.
J. Examine theories and concepts of love and sexual attraction in individuals, couples, families and society.
K. Appraise the communication process as it relates to sexuality, conflict resolution and culture.
L. Investigate the effects of sexual crimes/coercion on the victim and society.
M. Evaluate family life education in the home, school and community.

IV  Content

A. Introduction to the course
1. Course content and course requirements
2. What is human sexuality? Why is it important?
3. Introduction to human sexuality and sex education

B. Perspectives on human sexuality
1. Definitions of  human sexuality from biological, psycho social, ethnic, demographic, cultural, and religious perspectives **
2. Impact of media and the internet on sexuality
3. Economics of sex, commercialization of sex
4. Methods of studying human sexuality

C. Gender and gender roles
1. Issues related to gender roles and gender identity
2. Influence of culture, ethnicity, media, education, and religion on defined roles of males and females **
3. Alternative modes of living and sexual orientation
4. Comparison of gender roles among different ethnic and cultural groups within the U.S. and global society

D. Male and female anatomy and physiology
1. Male anatomy and physiology
2. Female anatomy and physiology
3. Normal function versus disorders
4. Common myths regarding sexual functioning which exist among various cultures and ethnic groups within our society **

E. Characteristics of reproductive system disorders
1. Effects of reproductive system disorders on sexual health
2. Symptoms, diagnoses, treatments and prevention of reproductive system disorders
3. Risks for specific reproductive system disorders
4. Reasons for decrease in fertility.
5. Role of ethnicity in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of reproductive system disorders.

F. Human sexual response cycle
1. Phases of the humans sexual response cycle
2. Dysfunctions, symptoms, and treatment
3. Myths regarding human sexual response
4. Gender, culture and ethnicity and its relationship to the sexual response cycle. **

G. Conception, pregnancy and childbirth
1. Effects of hormones on reproduction
2. Conception
3. Physical, mental, and social changes occurring during pregnancy
4. Prenatal care and pregnancy outcomes
5. Factors limiting prenatal care for low income and minority groups including environmental influences**
6. Childbirth
7. Postnatal care
8. Adolescent pregnancies
9. Responsibilities of parenthood (economic, moral, legal)
10. The influence of ethnicity, culture, attitudes, and behavior in teenage pregnancy and childbirth. **

H. Birth control and contraception
1. Methods
2.  Effectiveness, advantages and disadvantages
3. Social, cultural, religious, and ethnic and demographic factors influencing contraception **
4. Fertility control in developed and developing countries
5. Abstinence
6. Sterilization
7. Abortion
8. Demographic consequences of uncontrolled fertility

I. Sexuality throughout the life span
1. Phases in the life span (infancy, toddler, pre-school, school, adolescent, early adult, middle adult, and late adult)
2. Characteristics and occurrences in each phase
3. Dealing with changes in each phase - positive as well as negative ways on addressing the changes experienced in each phase

J. Love, sexual attraction, and sexual expression
1. Definition of love and sexual attraction
2. Types of love
3. Cultural and/or ethnic differences in love and sexual attraction **
4. Love in the context of relationships
5. Dealing with the loss of love
6. Jealousy
7. Auto eroticism
8. Interpersonal/shared sexual behaviors
9. Characteristics of alternative lifestyles **
10. Paraphilias

K. The communication process
1. Characteristics of effective communication
2. Barriers to effective communication
3. Effective communication techniques
4. Family and interpersonal relationships
5. Resolving personal conflicts
6. Cultural/ethnic variations in communication patterns **

L.  Sexual coercion prevention and treatment
1. Sexual harassment, types of rape and types of abuse
2. Cultural, ethnic, social or political factors influencing the promotion or deterrence of sexual coercion **
3. Techniques to addressing and preventing sexual coercion.

M. Family life and sex education
1. Within the home
2. Within the school
3. Within multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society.
4. Scope of public health education in California public schools.
 

V  Methods of Instruction

A. Lectures.
Lecture is used to present basic information about the topic, the basic concepts, principles, facts, or theories and elaboration of these.

B. Discussions
Discussions are encouraged through the probing of questions and answers between teacher and students to enable critical thinking relative to cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains.

C. Multi-media presentations
Lectures are presented through overheads or power point presentations using the computer laptop and LCD. Course handouts, illustrations, course packet materials and study guides, and videos illustrating human sexuality topics.

D. Small group discussions
Small group discussions are encouraged in the form of exercises that utilize critical thinking and analysis, synthesis, or evaluation of facts, situations, or cases.

E. Group activities
Small group activities include exercises that encourage students to apply theory to practice as well as develop analytical, problem solving and decision making skills that influence their thinking, attitudes, and behaviors about human sexuality.

F. Student group presentations
Students will be required to develop a presentation on a human sexuality topic
 

VI  Extent and Nature of the Use of Technology

A. Power point presentations for lectures and group presentations
B. Webbed or internet research for student assignments and projects.
C. Video/audio presentations
D. Computer word-processing for student assignments
E. Internet based journal/periodical indexes to conduct literature searches for their research papers and small group activities/presentations.
 

VII   Instructional Requirements

A. Required Text:

The following book is required:

Richard D. Mcanulty, M. Michele Burnette,"Fundamentals Of Human Sexuality". Allyn & Bacon, 2003

 supplementary paket of additional readings will be available from CopyPro
The Visual Resource Bank shown below follows most of the topics discussed in class. Viewing these resorces and reading about these sections in advance is  recommended.

 B.  Mandatory Assignments, Examinations, and Other Demonstrations of Competence:

1. Writing assignments

The following is required:

Research paper/project

PART A
During the semester, the students select a current issue or trend related to a given human sexuality topic and prepare a research paper which includes: a) introduction including purpose of the paper, why the topic has been selected and its relevance to college age students; b) at least five main points related to the topic including supporting evidence on those points; c) analysis and evaluation of the points and how this relates to human sexuality discussions, lectures, and other activities; d) conclusions and recommendations for further study and thinking  in human sexuality.  The research paper should be approximately 5-6 pages in length and will be due during the 8th week of the semester.

PART  B

After the completion of part-A, students with the same topic for research will be divided into groups of five. Each group will then combine their individual research papers, research the topic further and write a scholarly research paper on the topic not less than 15 pages in length and at least 15 current references.
Please have the instructor approve the outline of your paper before you begin writing.
During the last week of instruction each group is expected to make a presentation of the summary of your research findings using a lap top computer and a power point presentation. A hard copy of the power point slides and  the group research paper will be due on the day of the final exam.

Topics for Research Paper

1. Aphrodisiacs – facts and myths
2. Commercialization of sex
3. New contraceptives for men and women
4. Sexually related cultural practices
5. Sexual harassment and sexual abuse
6. The internet and its influence on human sexuality
7. Homosexuality and Same sex marriages
8. Drugs that depress or enhance sexual response
9. The internet and its influence on Human sexuality
10. Human sexuality, Art and Freedom of Expression

Additional topics may be assigned by the instructor.

2. Examinations
A minimum of two tests will be given in this course. Tests will be given at any point during class time.  Test items will be objective, fill-in-the-blanks, short answer, or essay in type, and will be based on topics/information previously discussed.

3. Problem -Based Learning and class participation.

Each student will be required to prepare a detailed discussion to at least two human sexuality problems presented in class by the instructor. These are actual human sexuality problems encountered by sex therapists, physicians and psychologists and counselors in their day today practice. The instructor will give advanced notice about the problem to be discussed in class. It is the student's responsibility to prepare for a discussion session in class. This preparation includes the development of advanced problem solving skills by acquiring, evaluating and synthesizing information gathered from multiple sources. At the end of the discussion the instructor will present to the students a model answer formulated by an expert in the field. At different intervals throughout the semester students will be asked to prepare a written answer to a given problem which is very similar to one discussed before in class. This makes it necessary for the students to maintain regular attendance and active participation  in order to score well in this section.

Some Examples of human sexuality problems to be discussed in class
 


D. Percentage of total grade per requirement:

 1. Examinations:                                   50%
 2. Individual Research paper                15%
 3. Problem solving writing assignments  15%
 4. Group Research and presentations    20%
TOTAL 100%
 
 
 

 Bibliography:
 

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Visual Resource Bank




I.   History of Human Sexuality & Sex Research

II.  Female Sexual Anatomy & Physiology

III.  Male Sexual Anatomy & Physiology

IV.  Prenatal Sexual Development

V.  Male & Female Sexual Response

VI.  Gender Development

VII.  Pregnancy

VIII.  Contraception

IX.  Sexually Transmitted Diseases

X.  Sexual Dysfunction

XI.  Sexuality, Communication and Relationship

XII.  Trends in Human Sexuality